Port catheter

ABSTRACT

A port catheter, designed to be implanted by puncturing, has a cylindrical casing (1) in which there is a chamber (22) dosed off on one side by a membrane (4) which can be punctured by an injection needle and connectable on the other side to a catheter (8). Securing loops (9, 10) project from the casing (1) and can be folded together by special means during insertion and unfold when the means are released. The securing loops (9, 10) are made of spring wire surrounding the casing (1) at two separate points. The securing loops (9, 10) are thus relatively stiff in the securing direction but can be bent circumferentially about the casing (1) and held in this position for implantation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a port catheter having a generally cylindricalcasing with a chamber in it, which is sealed on one side by aneedle-piercable membrane and to the other side of which is connected atube catheter.

A port catheter of the referred type is already known from DE 38 37 779C2. It can be implanted in the patient's body by means of a puncturecreating a port of entry to the blood-vessel system or to another bodycavity that cannot be reached otherwise. The port catheter resides underthe skin after the puncture, and its membrane can be punctured throughthe skin with a needle. A tube is connected to the casing of the portcatheter and takes the medications to their site of activity, where theyare needed.

A port catheter of this type is very small to ease its implantation bymeans of a skin puncture. To be able to anchor the port catheter inspite of its small dimensions in the subcutaneous fat tissue, anchoringloops are fitted on the outer wall of the port catheter body. After theimplantation, the introduction sleeve is pulled over the side of thealready removed introduction cone. This results in the straightening upof the anchoring or securing loops, which were compressed to the wall ofthe port catheter body wall during the insertion, and their penetrationinto the surrounding fat tissue of the patient. This renders astabilization of the position to the port catheter. The casing is heldin its predetermined position during the insertion by a counter holder.

An object of this invention is to construct a port catheter of thementioned type, by which the anchoring loops are simply built, simple toconstruct and simply and safely mounted on the casing. Furthermore itmust be ensured, that in the implanted position after pulling theintroduction sleeve the anchoring loops spread out and grant the portcatheter a high degree of anchoring stability.

The basic object of the invention is achieved through the use ofanchoring loops that protrude from the wall of the casing of the portcatheter and can be bent together, said anchoring loops being made fromspring wire which engage the casing over one position, protrude fromthis position in opposite directions to form two loops and again engagethe casing at a second position axially spaced from the first position.

The basic idea of this invention is that the anchoring loops be made ofa spring wire, whose ends embrace or engage the casing on two pointsthat are axially apart from each other. This renders a high grade ofbending strength diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the portcatheter. In the circumferential direction the anchoring loops letthemselves bend further, practically as a continuation of theirembracing of the casing. This construction combines a high bendingresistance that prevents movements in the axial direction, with a goodbending capacity in the circumferential direction that does not requireextra anchoring stability.

The materials for the cohesion of the anchoring loops can be variouslyconstructed. A functional construction form consists of a fork with twoteeth, which hold the ends of the folded loops together. The fork has ahandle that reaches over the end of the casing facing the introductioncone. The ends of the teeth are a little bent over another. After theimplantation, the rear end of the fork handle is captured and stretchedso that the teeth release the anchoring loops that can now expand.

Another embodiment of the means for keeping the anchoring loops benttogether is a string, one end of which embraces both ends of theanchoring loops, and which has a loop, releasable by pulling the otherend of the string extending beyond the end of the casing facing theinsertion cone. This construction form is extremely simple andreasonable.

Another possibility of using a string is, concerning a broader aspect ofthe invention, that one end of the string is connected to one of theanchoring loops while the other end passes through an eyelet in theother loop and then over the side of the introduction cone facing thecasing. By pulling the string, the folded anchoring loops are kept inthe folded position during the implantation of the port catheter. Whenthe string is released, the anchoring loops are freed and can anchor theport catheter effectively. This construction form, with only onepulling-string, has the advantage that it can also help in removing theport catheter. For this purpose, the free end of the string is found bypuncture of the skin and pulled. This causes the anchoring loops to bendagain making an easy retrieval of the port catheter possible. Theadvantage can be maximized by winding the string a few times over theends of both anchoring loops before it is passed through the eyelet.Thus a "cork-opener" effect is achieved that creates, even by theapplication of smaller pull-forces on the string, greater forces for thebending together or spreading apart of the anchoring loops.

By a further modification of the invention, the means for holdingtogether the folded anchoring loops, comprises an axial nut, in whichboth ends of the anchoring loops in the bent position are engaged. Astring, which is connected to one of the bent together loops with whichthe anchoring loops are connected to the casing 1, is used for thedisengagement. By pulling this string, the loops are freed and canspread apart.

Another functional embodiment for the invention is that a cylindricalring, made of a material that is rapidly destroyed in the body,surrounds the anchoring loops in the bent position. After the ring isdestroyed, the anchoring loops are freed.

A tube, which encapsulates both anchoring loops and reaches far enoughbackwards so that it can be removed after the implantation, can alsoserve for holding the folded anchoring loops together. By pulling thetube both anchoring loops are freed and spread themselves. The tube canalso be divided in two parts in its length to facilitate a separationfrom casing 1.

An already known introducing sleeve can also serve as means for keepingthe anchoring loops bent. It should be moveable over the entire lengthof the casing covering the folded anchoring loops, and be placed overthe end of the casing facing the introduction cone. This introductionsleeve facilitates the manipulation during implantation and permitsother functional construction forms for this extension of the inventionto be performed.

Another functional embodiment of this invention is that the anchoringloops comprise the legs of a V that is open in the direction of thecone. The advantage here is that when the introduction sleeve is pulledback, both anchoring loops open slowly and the trauma to the surroundingtissues, which is a possibility by a sudden opening of the anchoringloops, is substantially reduced. This applies also for the use of a tubefor keeping the anchoring loops bent. A construction containing anintroduction sleeve with an elastic part that functions as afriction-lock on the casing is especially practical. This prevents asudden independent back movement of the introduction sleeve when it isuncontrolled by the introducing physician, which causes a faster openingof the anchoring loops. Such a friction-lock can consist of a tongue,constructed of cuts in the sleeve, which causes friction with the outerwalls of the casing or parts of it.

The construction of the tongue allows for a further functional extensionor modification, in which the membrane is compressed against the rearend of the casing by an inwards facing collar of a sleeve, while thissleeve has on its inner side a line of repeated hook-formed depressions,which cling to a complementary line of depressions on the outer wall ofthe casing. By using the sleeve, a safe and sealed fixture of themembrane is guaranteed. At the same time this permits a furtherextension, in which the tongue has an inwards pointing crimping whichclings in one of the hook-formed depressions in the sleeve, and soconnects the insertion sleeve with the casing in a rotary form-dosingconfiguration. This rotary safe connection facilitates the introductionof the port catheter--the subject of this invention. At the same time itis desirable to construct the cone as a squeezing nut for the fixationof the catheter tube. By mounting the catheter-tube the port cathetercan be held against the screwing force of the squeezing nut firmly bythe insertion sleeve. In this way it is sure that no resistance-buildingedge exists when the port catheter is implanted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing illustrates several construction examples:

FIG. 1 shows a port catheter of the invention in a side view;

FIG. 2 shows the port catheter of FIG. 1 enlarged, and with a partlymounted insertion sleeve;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through FIG. 2, with a fully mountedinsertion sleeve;

FIG. 4 shows the anchoring loops alone in an axial view;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a second possible embodiment of theinvention, with a fork for keeping the anchoring loops bent together;

FIG. 6 shows in a similar representation to FIG. 5 a third embodiment ofthe invention, with a string for keeping the anchoring loops benttogether;

FIG. 7 shows in a similar representation to FIG. 5 a fourth embodimentof the invention with a string for keeping the anchoring loops benttogether;

FIG. 8 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, with the anchoring loops inthe open position;

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention, with an axial nut forkeeping the anchoring loops bent together;

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 shows an eighth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a 1.5 times magnification of a practical constructionexample of a port catheter. A cylindrical casing 1 has a cap 2 on itsend with a collar 3 pointing inwards, which is sealed by pressing amembrane 4 made of silicon-rubber against the rear end of the casing(not seen in FIG. 1). The cap 2 is held onto the casing 1 by hook-formeddepressions. At the end of the casing 1 opposite to the membrane 4 thereis attached a damping nut 6 with a conical outer shape or cone 7 tofacilitate an implantation by puncture. The clamping nut 6 serves forsecuring a tube catheter 8. Two anchoring loops 9 and 10 are positionedbetween the cap 2 and the damping nut 6.

FIG. 2 shows the port catheter as in FIG. 1 in a magnified or enlargedview. An insertion sleeve is partially mounted on the end of the casing1 with the cap 2. The insertion sleeve 11 shows two cuts 12 and 13 thatform a tongue containing a crimping or offset 15 that lies in afriction-complementary fashion over the cap 2.

Furthermore FIG. 2 shows that the anchoring loops 9 and 10 in the regionof the groove 16 embrace the casing 1 with a loop, 17 and are with thisarrangement, safeguarded against axial, as well as radial movements.With a second loop 18, the anchoring loops 9 and 10 embrace the casing 1on a second, further away position, where they are similarly safeguardedagainst different kinds of movements. Between the anchoring loops 17 and18 is seen a thicker part 19 of casing 1. In spite of the safe anchoringof the anchoring loops 9 and 10 to the casing 1 on two axially fromanother separated points, the anchoring loops 9 and 10 are bent over thecasing 1 as anchoring loops 17 and 18 without exceeding their elasticalbending zone. In this position it is possible for the insertion sleeve11 to be moved further on in the direction of the clamping nut 6 overthe anchoring loops 9 and 10. This situation is described in FIG. 3. Theanchoring loops 17 and 18 are part of the anchoring loops 9 and 10,respectively, and are each secured to the cylindrical casing 1 by beinglooped thereon and are each on opposite sides of the thicker part of thecasing 1 to preclude undesired axial movement of the anchoring loops 9and 10 on the casing 1.

In FIG. 3 we see that the anchoring loops 9 and 10 are in a bentposition inside the insertion sleeve. At the same time we see that thecrimping 15 of the tongue 14 grasps in the depression 5 of the sleeve 2by which the insertion sleeve 11 and the casing 1 are or connected in arotary safe way. This facilitates the screwing of the clamping nut 6 tofasten the cathetertube 8, when it is mounted upon a trumpet likesupport 20, where it is squeezed with a squeeze-edge 21, to form aconnection between the inner space of the catheter 8 and the chamber 22in the casing 1, into which an injection fluid is injected after themembrane 4 has been pierced by an injection needle.

The rear end of the insertion sleeve is shown shortened in FIGS. 2 and3. On the inner side of the insertion sleeve 11 we see a small push-rod23, which helps overcome the counter forces that develop in the casingwhen the insertion sleeve 11 is pulled back after the implantation.

FIG. 4 shows the anchoring loops 9 and 10 in the same opened position asin FIG. 2, in an axial or transverse view showing the loop 17, behindwhich is (not visible) the loop 18. Anchoring loops 9 and 10 andanchoring loops 17 and 18 are functionally composed of one endless wire.

FIGS. 5 to 12 demonstrate diverse construction possibilities of theinvention in a side view similar to FIG. 1 but with different means forkeeping the anchoring loops bent together. Identical parts are markedwith numbers corresponding to the numbers mentioned in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The embodiment in FIG. 5 shows the anchoring loops 9 and 10 benttogether embracing the casing 1 for the implantation process. They arekept in this position by the teeth 24 and 25 of the fork 26, whosehandle 27 protrudes over the end of the casing facing the cone 7 so thatthe entire fork, with the help of the handle 27 can be dismounted andremoved after the implantation. Thus the anchoring loops 9 and 10 arefreed and can unfold themselves. The teeth 24 and 25 are a littleinwards bent at their ends so that they cannot slide out at the time ofthe implantation.

The construction example in FIG. 6 shows the anchoring loops 9 and 10bent together embracing or engaging the casing 1 for the implantationprocess. They are kept in this position by a string 28 whose one end 29encircles the anchoring loops 9 and 10, and with the help of a loop 30holds them together. After the implantation, using the string 28, theanchoring loops are set free. The string 28 reaches over the end of thecasing 1 facing the cone 7 so that the string lies outside the patient'sbody after the implantation and can be grasped.

The embodiment in FIG. 7 shows the anchoring loops 9 and 10 benttogether embracing the casing 1 for the implantation process. They arekept in this position by a string 31, which is anchored to point 32 onthe anchoring loop 10 and surrounds both anchoring loops 9 and 10several times. It passes through the eyelet 33 shown on the anchoringloop 9 backwards, over the rear end of casing 1. This construction formhas the advantage that the ends of the bent anchoring loops are kepttogether in a pulley form. Since the string 31 can remain inside thebody in a sufficient length, it is possible to find the end of thisstring by puncturing. Pulling this string causes the anchoring loops 9and 10 to return to their bent position around the casing 1, thusfacilitating the removal of the port catheter. The out spread positionof the anchoring loops is shown in FIG. 8, where the eyelet 33 is seenvery well.

The construction example in FIG. 9 shows the anchoring loops 9 and 10bent together embracing the casing 1 for the implantation process. Theyare kept in this position by an axial groove 34, which is positionedbetween the squeezing nut 6 and the casing 1, thus securing theanchoring loops from spreading out. A string 35 is placed around theloop 17 which enables the back pulling of loop 17 and with it also loops9 and 10, thus freeing them from the axial groove 34 and making aspreading out possible.

The construction example in FIG. 10 shows the anchoring loops 9 and 10bent together embracing the casing 1 for the implantation process. Theyare kept in this position by a cylindrical ring, made of a material suchas polyglycolic acid or gelatine that is destroyed in the body after theimplantation thus freeing anchoring loops 9 and 10 and making aspreading out possible.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment by which the anchoring loops 9 and 10 arebent together and kept in this position by a tube 37, which stretchesover the rear end of the port catheter to such a distance that allowsits capture after the implantation. By pulling the robe 37 it slidesover the anchoring loops 9 and 10 and let them spread out.

The construction form displayed on FIG. 12 is very similar to the formshown in FIG. 11. The difference is that the tube 38 is rolled up in thearea of the anchoring loops and it is made of a material that istearable in the length axis.

While I have shown and described presently preferred embodiments of theinvention, it will be apparent that other embodiments may be embracedwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A port catheter for implantation in a bodycomprising a casing (1) having a generally cylindrical wall and having achamber (22) therein, which is sealed on one side by a needle-pierceablemembrane (4) and which is connected at (the) an end of the casingopposite from said (on the) membrane (4) with a tube catheter (8), and acone (7) on the casing (1) that allows the implantation of the portcatheter by puncture, and two anchoring loops (9,10) that protrude fromthe casing wall and can be bent together, the anchoring lops (9,10)comprising a spring wire which embraces the casing (1) over oneposition, protrudes from this position in two opposing directions takingthe form of said two anchoring loops (9,10) and which (meet) meets againto embrace the casing (1), at a second position axially separated fromthe first position.
 2. The port catheter of claim 1, in which bothanchoring loops (9,10) are flexible, thus (making) facilitating theirbending (in the looping direction possible) around the casing (1) forembracing the casing (1).
 3. The port catheter of claim 1, in which(the) there are provided means for (bending) holding together theanchoring loops (9,10) which (consist of) comprises a fork (26) with twoteeth (24,25) holding the ends of the (bent together) anchoring loops,the fork (26) (being characterized by a rod (27) or a string) includinga post (27) that protrudes beyond the end of the casing (1) facing thecone (7).
 4. The port catheter of claim 1, in which the teeth of thefork (24, 25) are bent upon one another.
 5. The port catheter of claim1, in which (the) there are provided means for bending together theanchoring loops (9,10) (consists of) comprising a string (28) having twoends, one end of said string (28) connected to both ends of the bentanchoring loops (9,10) and being held by a (loop) knot, which knot(string) can be released by pulling on its other end (28) which is ledout over the end of the casing (1) facing the cone (7).
 6. The portcatheter of claim 1, in which there are provided means for bendingtogether the anchoring loops (9, 10) which comprise a string (31) havinga one end connected to one of the anchoring loops (10) and havinganother end connected through an eyelet (33) to the other anchoring loop(9) and then is led out over the end of the casing (1) facing the cone(7).
 7. The port catheter of claim 1, in which the means for bendingtogether the anchoring loops (9, 10) comprises an axial groove (34) inwhich both anchoring loops in the bent position are engaged, and astring (35) encircling all loops, including looping area (17, 18) andthen is led out over the end of the casing (1) facing the cone (7), saidstring helping to disengage the anchoring loops from the axial nut. 8.The port catheter of claim 1, in which the means for bending togetherthe anchoring loops (9, 10) comprises a cylindrical ring (36) whichencircles the anchoring loops (9, 10) and is constructed of a materialthat is destroyed in the body after implantation.
 9. The port catheterof claim 1, in which the means for bending together the anchoring loops(9, 10) consists of a robe (37, 38) which encompasses the bent togetheranchoring loops (9, 10) and protrudes beyond the end of the casing (1)facing the cone (7) and can be pulled off from the casing.
 10. The portcatheter of claim 9, in which the robe is made of a material that istearable in the longitudinal axis thereof.
 11. The port catheter ofclaim 9, in which the end of the tube encompassing anchoring loops (9,10) is inwards bent.
 12. The port catheter of claim 1, in which themeans for bending together the anchoring loops (9, 10) comprises aninsertion sleeve, (11) that can be moved over the casing (1) and theanchoring loops (9, 10), and protrudes over the end of the casing (1)facing the cone (7).
 13. The port catheter of claim 12, in which bothanchoring loops (9, 10), form the legs of a V that is open in thedirection of the cone (7).
 14. The port catheter of (claims) claim 12(and 13), in which (an elastic part of) the insertion sleeve (11)includes an elastic part that is friction connected to the casing (1).15. The port catheter of claim 14, in which the elastic part of theinsertion sleeve (11) consists at least of a tongue (14), constructed ofcuts (12, 13) in the insertion sleeve (11).
 16. The port catheter ofclaim 15, in which the membrane (4) is connected with an inwards bentmetal collar to an end of the casing (1) and the insertion sleeve (11)has on its inner face hook-formed depressions corresponding withcomplementary depressions on the cylindrical wall of the casing (1). 17.The port catheter of claim 16, in which the tongue (14) has an inwardspointing crimping that engages in the hook-formed depressions on theinner wall of the insertion sleeve (11) and so connects the insertionsleeve (11) with the casing (1).
 18. The port catheter of claim 17,which includes a tube catheter and in which the cone (7) is set oft aclamping--nut (6) to facilitate the attaching of (a) the tube catheter.19. The port catheter of claim 17, in which (the diameter of) theclamping nut (6) has a diameter which is at least equal (identical) to(or slightly bigger than) the diameter of the insertion sleeve (11).